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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Today's decluttering is going to be on our purse. Or if you are like me, you have several purses going at one time...please tell me I'm not the only one who does that!

I have a fond memory from my childhood days of watching my mom clean out her purse. She would dump the entire contents out on the table and it was almost like Christmas for us kids as we got to help sort through it all. Change (LOTS of change), mints, gum, wrappers, receipts, tissues, pens (LOTS of pens), wallet, lipstick...the list goes on and on. I remember also how much lighter her purse was after one of these cleanings.

So today, empty that purse out on the table. Get the kids involved by letting them work on matching items...even if it's just seperating out the change. Get rid of anythng you don't need to carry....how many pens do you need, how many tubes of lipstick, is $72 in change really needed?

When this is all done, put it on your shoulder and listen carefully as your shoulder lets out a sigh of happiness!

Friday, September 25, 2009

I had every intention of posting a picture and recipe for hot dog soup...problem is, it didn't turn out quite so tasty as I thought it would. So....I did a bit more research and decided that I will give it another try someday soon. I mean really, if it has hotdogs in it, how can it NOT be good???

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

I somehow lost Tuesday. I don't know how it happened but Tuesday was misplaced for me most of the day. I blogged about Wednesday earlier, I planned supper around a meeting I have on Wednesday, I even layed a child down for nap who goes home early on Tuesday...because I thought it was Wednesday. I guess thought I should be happy as I just gained a day this week!!!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

It has come to my attention that I have friends who read my blog but are unable to leave comments as they don't have a google account. Well, Dear Friends, time to get one! It is very simple to do. At the end of this post you will see where it says "comment". Just click on that. On the bottom right hand side it will have a place to get a google account. Just use your regular email account.

Ok, go ahead and get an account, I'll sit here and have a cup of coffee and wait for you...

slurp slurp

Got it? Great! Now you are able to not only read blogs, but you can comment on them too! Don't forget to sign up on here as a follower too.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

It is important to know that it is a book of fiction. It is not always Biblically correct, but it does not claim to be either. None the less, it will make you rethink how you see some aspects of yourself as a Christian. I shed many tears, both good and bad, during this reading. I had to put it down many times to ponder what was said. It caused me to take a hard look at myself and how I treat and judge others.

The basic idea is that a man is unable to deal with the loss of his daughter. He ends up meeting God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a way that he was able to accept them. Not the Trinity as you would expect.

I have walked away from this reading with a renewed love for the Lord. For a desire to better myself as a person.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Happy Tuesday, dear friends. How did the cleaning schedule go for you last week? I hope you were able to come up with a rough draft to work off of. Don't expect to have it cut in stone right off the bat, it takes time to work up a schedule that really fits. I'm interested in hearing how it is working out for you.

This week is the fridge. Yep...That place where science projects seem to happen all on their own.

What you will need:garbage cancleaner (I like my bleach water spray bottle)cleaning rag, drying towel

Take everything out and decide if it's a keeper or a tosser. If it's not going to be used up, then cut your losses and toss it. After the fridge is empty, pull out the drawers and shelves and wash well. While those are drying you can clean all the gunk that has spilled and has been hiding under the drawers. Wipe the sides and top well. Don't forget to do the door storage area too.

After returning the shelves and drawers, return items. This is a great time to do a bit of organizing. I keep mine in sections: milk, water and other drinks on top shelf. Pickles, mayo, butter, cream cheese...the staples, on the left middle shelf. Leftovers go on right middle shelf. Eggs and yogurt on left bottom shelf. One drawer has lunch meat and cheese. One drawer has fruits. One drawer has veggies. Condiments and jelly go in the door.

Now, this is where I have to say, "Hi, my name is Mama Bear and I'm addicted to my label maker". I have gone so far as to label my shelves. Yes, I know it seems a bit odd, but even though *I* know where everything goes, the rest of my family seems to not remember. The leftover shelf is an important one as it cuts down the above mentioned science projects. Also, having a place for each thing cuts down on the 3 open jars of pickles and 2 bottles of ketchup that always seem to happen.

Monday, September 14, 2009

This is an email that was sent to me and I thought it worthy of passing on. Every little step we each do will help keep our country strong.

A physics teacher in high school, once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good American. Good idea . . . one light bulb at a time . . . .

Check this out. I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China.The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA . Start looking.

In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!

My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more. My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.

This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled, "Everyday Value.” I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland, Ohio

So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.

So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets . . . yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada . The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!

My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!

If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!

(We should have awakened a decade ago . . . . .)

Let's get with the program . . . . help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the USA .

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Something different for today instead of just working on a specific area. This week we are going to work on a cleaning schedule. It's all too easy to get side-tracked and before you know it, half the day is gone and the bed isn't even made! A cleaning schedule not only helps to get the daily maintenance done, but to keep the home in semi-order so that it may not get out of control...leaving us feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to start.

My schedule is broken down into three categories: daily, weekly and monthly.

Dailymake bedcat litterclean bathroomgather and sort laundrywalk through and pick up each roomkitchenvacuumsweepmopweekday chore

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Can you guess from the picture what this weeks challenge is? That's right, this week we are going to hit the bathroom with gusto! I'm not talking about a little wipe down here, I'm talking about nooks and crannies.

Don't be overwhelmed, take it a little at a time. Break it down so that you do a little each day. Listed below are some areas that should be taken care of:

Declutter counter Get rid of of all the do-dads and what-nots that don't belong there and put them away, give them away or throw them away. After the counter is empty, give it a good cleaning..remember to get in the corners and the back splash.

Toilet Use a toilet bowl cleaner ( I like Lyson Cling Gel) and let sit while you are doing something else. After letting cleaner sit, use a cleaning brush or cleaning rag and wipe down entire toilet with cleaner. Remember to get the back of the bowl and the water line.

Medicine cabinet Throw out unused prescriptions and outdated over the counter medications. Wipe down all shelves. Return items in an organized manner. Clean mirror.

Drawers and cabinets Remove all items one drawer/cabinet at a time. Do the throw away/give away of any items that you don't use or haven't used in a while. Don't hold on to it thinking that you will get around to it at some point. Get little boxes or totes to keep like items in. Put all hair spray, gel, mousse, defrizzer..etc. it one box. All make up in one box...you get the idea. Cords to hairdryer/straightener/curling iron can be folded back and forth and place a toilet paper roll over to keep in place. Run toothbrushes through dishwasher. Hair brushes and combs can go through dishwasher or soaked in sink with hot water and dishsoap.

Sink Remove all items. Refill soap dispenser if needed. Spray sink and faucet with tub and tile cleaner. Wipe well and rinse. Shine sink with window cleaner. Replace wiped down items ONLY if they need to be sitting out.

Bathtub Basically same as sink. Keep only items in tub/shower that you need/use. Do you NEED to have 3 kinds of soaps and 2 kinds of shampoos? How can you declutter this area? Wash or replace shower curtain. Wash or replace bathmat.

Rest of room Wash curtains. Dust all corners, even the high ones. Clean vent. Wash all walls. Sweep and mop floor. Pay special attention around the toilet area. Sometimes a good mopping on the hands and knees is best.

Now, stand back and look at your clean and organized bathroom. Be proud of the work you have done.

Welcome

Welcome to Bear Necessities, a place to plop down, relax and be yourself. There's no putting on airs here, come as you are, all are welcomed. I do ask that you keep in mind that I am a Christian and will not tolerate any disrespect for my Lord. This site isn't dedicated to any one subject, in fact, if my brain works for me then there should be a wide variety of topics. Feel free to comment after a post, I love feedback. So kick your shoes off, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy.

About Me

I'm a Christian wife to Papa Bear and a Mama Bear to two sons, three step daughters and a very special bonus daughter. I'm also blessed with six grandchildren.
I'm into my family and making our home a comfortable place to be. I enjoy working in the yard and garden and putting up the food we grow. I like to relax with a crochet hook in my hand. I'm active in my church, Boy Scouts, Rescue Unit and community.
I have a sincere passion for helping others and do so as a Certified Health Coach with my health business, Inside Out Health.